How to reflash Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro: official and custom firmware

The Xiaomi Redmi 4 Pro (codenamed markw) is still a popular budget smartphone due to its robust hardware and the ability to install modern firmware. However, over time, official MIUI support ends, and users face slowdowns, lack of security updates or the desire to install custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to flash the Redmi 4 Pro in 2026: from the official update via MIUI Updater to install custom builds via TWRP and Fastboot. Particular attention will be paid to unlocking the bootloader without waiting for 720 hours (relevant to old Mi Account accounts) and solving typical errors like Anti Rollback or Invalid Image. If you are a beginner, start with official methods.

Preparation for Flashing: What You Need to Know Before You Start

Redmi 4 Pro flashing is not a knee operation, and the wrong actions can turn a smartphone into a brick, so let's first look at the key points:

• 🔋 The battery must be at least 60% charged, and when discharged during firmware, the device may shut down at a critical moment.
• 🔐 Unlocking the bootloader is mandatory for custom firmware installation. MIUI Updater or Recovery do not require a lock.
• 📱 Data backup: firmware erases internal memory. Use Mi Mover, Titanium Backup or manual copying on PC.
• 🖥️ Drivers and tools: you need to work with Fastboot ADB/Fastboot drivers, for TWRP — current-age.

The most common mistake of beginners is to try to flash custom firmware without unlocking the bootloader. In this case, the device will go to Fastboot Mode with the error This device is locked. It is also important to consider the Anti Rollback (ARB) version: if you flash the old firmware on a device with a new ARB, the smartphone will lock forever. Check the current version of ARB in the settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version).

⚠️ Note: If your Redmi 4 Pro was purchased in China (the domestic version), the firmware is global. MIUI This can cause problems with the modem (no network) and requires multilingual firmware. MIUI Or custom assembly with support for Chinese models.

Method 1: Officially Updated via MIUI Updater

The safest method is to upgrade through the built-in MIUI Updater app, which is suitable for installing official stable or beta versions of MIUI without unlocking the bootloader and losing data (if no reset is performed).

• 📲 Only firmware is available for your regional version (Global, China, EEA).
• ⏳ Updates come with a delay (sometimes up to several months).
• 🚫 It is impossible to fall back on the old version. MIUI because of Anti Rollback.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Select Service Pack.
3. If you already have a firmware file downloaded (.zip format), select it. To automatically update, click Check Updates.
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the restart (it will take 5-10 minutes).

If the update is “hanging” during the verification phase, try:

• 🔄 Reboot your smartphone and try again.
• 📶 Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes Xiaomi servers are blocked by the provider).
• ⏳ Wait 1-2 days – sometimes updates are not available immediately for all devices.

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If the MIUI Updater does not receive an update, download the full firmware package for your model from en.miui.com and select it manually through "Select Service Pack".

Method 2: Firmware through Recovery (without PC)

The method is suitable for installing official firmware without a computer, but requires a pre-loading of the firmware file on the smartphone, the main advantage is saving data when updating (unless you choose clean all). However, custom firmware (for example, LineageOS) in this way can not be installed – you will need to TWRP.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the firmware for Redmi 4 Pro (markw code) from the official website. The file must have a type name. miui_MARKWGlobal_V12.5.1.0.RMAMIXM_....
2. Rename the file to update.zip and move it to the root of internal memory (not to folders!).
3. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Up + Power to enter Recovery Mode.
4. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if available) then:

Wait until the process is completed (the process will take 3-7 minutes) and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: If E:footer is wrong appears in Recovery, it means that the firmware file is corrupted or not intended for your model (MD5).

Method 3: Unlock the bootloader (bypass 720 hours)

To install custom firmware or firmware through Fastboot requires unlocking the bootloader. The official way from Xiaomi involves linking the device to the Mi Account and waiting for 720 hours (30 days).

• 🔓 Older accounts (created before 2018) are sometimes unlocked without waiting.
• 🛠️ Using Mi Unlock patched versions (risk of account blocking!).
• 📱 Buying an unlocked device (on AliExpress or from trusted sellers).

Official unblocking instruction:

1. Link Redmi 4 Pro to your Mi Account in settings (Settings → Mi Account).
2. Enable OEM Unlock in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from en.miui.com/unlock.
4. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode (click Volume Down + Power) and follow the program instructions.

If Mi Unlock is an error, Cann't unlock or Device is not connected:

• 🔌 Try another one. USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🖥️ Install Xiaomi drivers USB Drivers manually through Device Manager.
• 🔄 Restart your PC and smartphone, then try again.

Method 4: Install custom firmware through TWRP

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project is a custom recovery that allows you to install informal firmware, make backups and restore the system — TWRP 3.7.0 (or newer) Important: installation TWRP On devices with Anti Rollback 4 and higher, it can lead to a lockdown of the bootloader.

Instructions for installing TWRP and custom firmware:

1. Unlock the bootloader (see the previous section).
2. Download TWRP for markw (for example, from the 4PDA forum or twrp.me).
3. Rename the file to twrp.img and place it in the folder with ADB/Fastboot.
4. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode and execute the command: fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
5. Without disabling USB, press Volume Up + Power to log in to TWRP immediately.
6. In TWRP, run Wipe → Format Data (enter yes), then copy the firmware to your smartphone via MTP.
7. Install the firmware through Install, then (if necessary) Gapps.

The following are the best features for Redmi 4 Pro:

• 📱 LineageOS 18.1 (Android 11) - stable, without excess software.
• 🎨 Pixel Experience – The interface is like Google Pixel.
• ⚡ HaventOS – Optimized for weak devices.
• 🔄 MIUI Pro - modified MIUI high-set.

⚠️ Warning: After installing custom firmware, VoLTE support may disappear (calls on the phone) 4G) To restore functions, you need to flash the VoLTE fix patch (see thematic forums).

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Installing custom firmware erases internal memory data. Always back up through TWRP (Backup section) or copy files to a PC.

Method 5: Fastboot (MI Flash Tool)

Fastboot is used to install official firmware (for example, when recovering from a brick) or custom assemblies in.tgz format. The main advantage is reliability, since the firmware goes directly through the PC. However, all data will be erased and the bootloader must be unlocked.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the MI Flash Tool and firmware for Redmi 4 Pro (e.g. xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MIUI\markw).
3. Turn off your smartphone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
4. Connect the device to your PC and start the MI Flash Tool.
5. Press Select, specify the firmware folder, then Refresh (the device should appear).
6. Select firmware mode: Clean all – clean (recommended); Clean all and lock – clean + lock bootloader (only for official firmware!); Save user data – data storage (not always stable).

Flash

If MI Flash is flash not done:

• 🔌 Check the cable and port USB (better USB 2.0).
• 🖥️ Launch the program on behalf of the administrator.
• 🔄 Try another version. MI Flash Tool (e.g. 20180528 instead of the last one).
• 📁 Make sure the path to the firmware does not contain spaces or Cyrillic.

Solving typical firmware errors

Even if you follow the instructions, you can get errors, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If after firmware the smartphone does not turn on or got stuck on the screensaver:

1. Try to go to Recovery (Loudness up + Power) and do Wipe Data.
2. If Recovery is not available, run the official firmware through Fastboot (see Method 5).
3. Check if Anti Rollback works (if so, the smartphone can only be restored through an authorized service center).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi firmware 4 Pro